THE Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (OPAV) plans to set up a drug rehabilitation center similar to a Catholic-run facility in the province of Masbate called Fazenda da Esperanca.
During the Association of Government Information Officers in Central Visayas (AGIO-7) forum yesterday, OPAV Michael Dino announced that he, along with owners of private hospitals who committed to support the Duterte administration in the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers, will be leaving for Masbate next month to learn more about Fazenda.
Dino said that the privately initiated rehabilitation program will be separate from those to be run by Department of Health (DOH).
Dino planned to ask retired police general Tiburcio “Tiboy” Fusilero to lend a space in a land managed by Fusilero in Barangay Kantipla, Cebu City for the rehab center.
Fazenda is a Catholic community that takes care of young drug and alcohol addicts by targeting the dependents’ community life, spirituality and work.
The organization’s rehabilitation program which lasts for a year prohibits even smoking and the use of mobile phones; while family members are allowed to visit only after three months of rehabilitation. Only one visitation per month is allowed.
The Fazenda rehabilitation facility does not charge a monthly fee for the program; but in exchange, the families of the patients are required to buy P2,000 worth of products from the community every month.
The family also provides for the personal needs of the patient such as toiletries, laundry soaps and medicines.